Every other day someone is “contributing” to society by giving us their top ten list. This contribution is usually met with a disagreement followed by an argument.
As a model citizen I too wanted to make my contribution, so I took the time to compile a list of my own.
Ladies and Gentlemen, let me present to you, my Top Ten Female Rappers Of The Last Two Decades.
For this list I had to think past the MC Lyte/Queen Latifah days and think about who they passed the baton to, and more importantly, who ran with it.
The rap scene is a game that is dominated by men and has always been a constant display of survival of the fittest. Nonetheless, female emcees have proven to audiences that they too can rock a mic and look good while doing it.
While the female emcee population is not large in numbers, many have come and many have left, but there are only a few that came and left their mark.
Let the debate begin.
Number 10:
Remy Ma embodies what the female emcee is all about. She is one of only four female rappers to ever have a number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, with Terror Squad’s number one single “Lean Back.” Remy Ma proves that a female emcee can easily be a goon and gorgeous at the same damn time. If not for getting incarcerated in 2008, I am sure that we would have heard plenty more from her, but be on the lookout for Remy Ma as she is scheduled to be released from prison in three months.
Number 9:
Rah Digga
Rah Digga delivers dagger sharp lyrics that could contend in any cipher. When featured on a track surrounded by male emcees she never lets listeners down. This former First Lady of the Flipmode Squad made her debut guest appearance on the Fugees classic album The Score and has since proven that nothing is out of her reach.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDtn_FtU614]
Number 8:
Charlie Baltimore
Charlie Baltimore was that “ride or die” chick that every man could use by his side. Her flow was nice and her lyrics were tight. In 2003 she was even nominated for a Grammy for her single “Diary”. I mean c’mon, she was going to be in what could have possibly been the greatest rap group of all-time, The Commission, with Jay Z and The Notorious BIG.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ny-il7Cy8A]
Number 7:
Trina
Trina is undoubtedly one of the most underrated female emcees in the game. Trina has proven over and over why she is the Queen of the South. Her consistency alone is something to appreciate. Trina first gained notoriety in 1998 with her appearance on Trick Daddy’s single “Nann Nigga”. This year Trina was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by XXL magazine.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhwww8XOzQ8]
Number 6:
Da Brat was known for her quick and crisp rhymes. Her style was so symbolic of the 90s era. Da Brat’s classic debut album Funkdafied was released twenty years ago. This album sold one million copies, making Da Brat the first female solo rap act to have a platinum-selling album.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDExY9TK9Ow]
Number 5:
This Philly native delivers those unshakable rhymes every time. Known to hold her own in the company of male emcees, this “Pit bull in a Skirt” is nothing short of that. Her first three albums sold over 8 million copies worldwide and she was the inaugural winner of the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2002 for her song with Gwen Stefani, “Let Me Blow Ya Mind”.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWUV71G5W8g]
Number 4:
Lauryn Hill
This former Fugees member is the whole package. Early in her career she had became known for her genre blending, particularly of reggae, rock and soul. Lauryn could hit you with some ill lyrics and still find time to showcase her beautiful singing abilities. After receiving five Grammy awards for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Hill dropped out of the public eye for many years, but nothing can take away the fact that at one point Lauryn Hill was the most powerful voice in rap.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3_dOWYHS7I]
Number 3:
Foxy Brown
This Brooklyn bombshell is nothing to play to with. She has battled with the best of them and has been the victorious one over and over again. Her fierce lyrics and confident delivery could stand up next to any male rapper and more than likely outshine them as well. With two solo albums that went platinum and a collaborative album that also went platinum, this female emcee should be top five on everyone’s list.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BIINDAWXtg]
Number 2:
Lil Kim
What can I say about Lil Kim that hasn’t already been said? She is for certain the number one female emcee on many lists. Straight out of Bedford-Stuyvesant, this multi-platinum selling artist got her rep as the Queen Bee, and she has not lived short of that. Notoriously known for delivering her lyrics with no filter, this femme fatale always gives fans exactly what they are looking for. In my opinion, she delivered the hardest line ever kicked by a female emcee. Check out the classic video below and decide for yourself.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUbn_Gx0Uls]
Number 1:
Nicki Minaj
Hate or Love it, Nicki Minaj is doing whatever she wants in the game right now and competition is nada. Nicki brings a unique voice, great style, and a jaw dropping flow. Her single “Super Bass” was certified 8× platinum and has sold over four million copies, becoming one of the best-selling singles ever in the United States. Sometimes Nicki’s outlandish and colorful character can get in the way of her topping many people’s top ten list, but all the awards on her mantle will have you thinking otherwise. Seriously, bar for bar, who could take down Hip Hop’s current Queen right now?
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mwNbTL3pOs]
Honorable Mention:
Amil
Her voice is one of a kind and her bars are impeccable, they even excited the likes of Jay Z. During the late 90s, this former Roc-a-fella artist was certainly at the right place at the right time. She could be heard on classic jams like “Can I Get A…”, “Jigga What, Jigga Who”, and “Hey Papi”. If not for her abrupt disappearance from the rap scene and her short lived career in the spotlight, Amil may have made my top ten. She most definitely was an asset to the game, but should have capitalized more on her opportunity.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tosG9zVW4kg]
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